Randy Parsons
Encyclopedia
Randy Parsons is an American luthier
whose client list includes Jack White
, Jimmy Page
, Sammy Hagar
, Death Cab for Cutie
, Peter Frampton
, Joe Perry
, and Modest Mouse
.
Parsons has a reputation for using hand tools and traditional methods of guitar building in order to make his work more authentic and personal. His approach is to treat each new guitar like it's a one-of-a-kind sculpture, and he embraces construction techniques used in the '50s, '60s and '70s. He does not use newer technologies such as CNC machines, plek and fret machines. He is also known for using atypical items in his guitars, such as bones, skulls and other organic materials. Parsons created a line of high-end electric guitars built from recycled car tires, newspapers, non-endangered woods and ceramics.
Parsons creates unique finishes and treatments on his guitars. Parsons used peach colored rose pedals that were dried in books and painstakingly applied to the guitar body for the model known as Peach Thief, which was built for singer/songwriter Karen Elson
.
Despite starting with no training as a luthier, he has built a business with five different shops. He works out of his main shop in Seattle, which is run by five women, three of whom are luthiers.
Parsons has made 5 guitars for Jack White. White hired Parsons to have a custom Gretsch guitar made rather than working directly with the Gretsch Guitar Company. White wanted the color of the guitar to be copper for the Raconteurs. White's ideas were integrated into the guitar which would be known as the Triple Jet. The original guitar was painted a copper color. Parsons later suggested using a real copper top. Parsons built the Triple Jet III, which is now White’s number one guitar.
Parsons and White are featured in the documentary "It Might Get Loud
," directed by Davis Guggenheim
. A modified Gretsch Anniversary Jr. production model is introduced in the movie, which represents an interesting collaboration between White as a creative musician, and Parsons as a guitar builder. Parsons installed a coil from an industrial vacuum cleaner in this guitar named The Green Machine, so that the body could hold a retractable green bullet microphone that White pulls out to sing into.
After seeing the movie, Gretsch
Guitars asked Parsons to create his own signature guitar for them. Parsons built a dark, gothic, hot rod Gretsch prototype which uses dried red sunflower seed pedals for the finish.
The Triple Jet guitar was commissioned by Jack White
"The Raconteurs" in 2006.
The Black Vampire is completely built from Gabon ebony. From the carved ebony top, to the hollowed out ebony neck, everything except the red trim was built from the same piece of ebony. Looking under the headstock truss cover one can see 3 entombed Scorpions. The original Black Vampire was built for Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen. Its headstock is adorned with intricate scorpion carvings, and the back of the neck is inscribed with secret writings that are only visible under a black light. It is displayed under glass on Allen's yacht.
"Strolling With Bones" was built for Jimmy Page in 2010.
Luthier
A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...
whose client list includes Jack White
Jack White (musician)
Jack White , often credited as Jack White III, is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and occasional actor...
, Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
, Sammy Hagar
Sammy Hagar
Sam Roy "Sammy" Hagar , also known as The Red Rocker, is an American rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Also sings Country Music....
, Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
, Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton
Peter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
, Joe Perry
Joe Perry (musician)
Anthony Joseph "Joe" Perry is the lead guitarist, backing and occasional lead vocalist, and contributing songwriter for the rock band Aerosmith. He is influenced by many rock artists especially The Rolling Stones and The Beatles...
, and Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse is an American indie rock band formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington, by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green, and bassist Eric Judy. They are based in Portland, Oregon. Since their 1996 debut album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think...
.
Parsons has a reputation for using hand tools and traditional methods of guitar building in order to make his work more authentic and personal. His approach is to treat each new guitar like it's a one-of-a-kind sculpture, and he embraces construction techniques used in the '50s, '60s and '70s. He does not use newer technologies such as CNC machines, plek and fret machines. He is also known for using atypical items in his guitars, such as bones, skulls and other organic materials. Parsons created a line of high-end electric guitars built from recycled car tires, newspapers, non-endangered woods and ceramics.
Parsons creates unique finishes and treatments on his guitars. Parsons used peach colored rose pedals that were dried in books and painstakingly applied to the guitar body for the model known as Peach Thief, which was built for singer/songwriter Karen Elson
Karen Elson
Karen Elson is a British model, singer-songwriter and guitarist.As a child, Elson attended North Chadderton School in Chadderton with her twin sister, filmmaker Kate Elson. She began working as a model as a teenager....
.
Despite starting with no training as a luthier, he has built a business with five different shops. He works out of his main shop in Seattle, which is run by five women, three of whom are luthiers.
Parsons has made 5 guitars for Jack White. White hired Parsons to have a custom Gretsch guitar made rather than working directly with the Gretsch Guitar Company. White wanted the color of the guitar to be copper for the Raconteurs. White's ideas were integrated into the guitar which would be known as the Triple Jet. The original guitar was painted a copper color. Parsons later suggested using a real copper top. Parsons built the Triple Jet III, which is now White’s number one guitar.
Parsons and White are featured in the documentary "It Might Get Loud
It Might Get Loud
It Might Get Loud is a documentary by filmmaker Davis Guggenheim. It explores the history of the electric guitar, focusing on the careers and styles of Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White. The film received a wide release on August 14, 2009 in the U.S...
," directed by Davis Guggenheim
Davis Guggenheim
Philip Davis Guggenheim is an Academy Award-winning American film director and producer. His credits as a producer and director include Training Day, The Shield, Alias, 24, NYPD Blue, ER, Deadwood, and Party of Five and the documentaries An Inconvenient Truth and Waiting for 'Superman...
. A modified Gretsch Anniversary Jr. production model is introduced in the movie, which represents an interesting collaboration between White as a creative musician, and Parsons as a guitar builder. Parsons installed a coil from an industrial vacuum cleaner in this guitar named The Green Machine, so that the body could hold a retractable green bullet microphone that White pulls out to sing into.
After seeing the movie, Gretsch
Gretsch
The Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
Guitars asked Parsons to create his own signature guitar for them. Parsons built a dark, gothic, hot rod Gretsch prototype which uses dried red sunflower seed pedals for the finish.
Triple Jet
- Production Date: 2006
- Production Run: 3
- Features: Copper Top
The Triple Jet guitar was commissioned by Jack White
Jack White (musician)
Jack White , often credited as Jack White III, is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and occasional actor...
"The Raconteurs" in 2006.
The Black Vampire
- Production Date: 2011
- Production Run: 3
- Features: Gabon Ebony construction
The Black Vampire is completely built from Gabon ebony. From the carved ebony top, to the hollowed out ebony neck, everything except the red trim was built from the same piece of ebony. Looking under the headstock truss cover one can see 3 entombed Scorpions. The original Black Vampire was built for Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen. Its headstock is adorned with intricate scorpion carvings, and the back of the neck is inscribed with secret writings that are only visible under a black light. It is displayed under glass on Allen's yacht.
Strolling with Bones
- Production Date: 2009
- Production Run: 2
- Features: Bone frets, solid ebony neck and Kasha inspired bracing
"Strolling With Bones" was built for Jimmy Page in 2010.